Archbishop Martin: Grandparents have wisdom and vocation to pass on the faith

Archbishop Eamon Martin

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland, gave this homily yesterday, at Mass for the 2026 Grandparents' pilgrimage to the Shrine of Knock: 'I will never forget you'.

Many grandparents nowadays say they get a whole new lease of life from being around young people. I was surprised recently when a 70 year-old grandad was able to explain to me all about TikTok and Snapchat, and I got a real shock when he asked me if I knew that Fontaines DC and Lewis Capaldi were amongst those headlining Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co Laois, this year?! ... I didn't!

Apparently he is a "Granennial" - that is a made-up word to describe the modern, 21st century, grandparent who is all up-to-date with the new technologies, dance moves and trendy phrases. I am told you get that way from 'hanging out' with your 'tech-savvy' grandchildren!

Clearly grand-parenting today is very different to when I was growing up. But thankfully the special and timeless qualities of grannies and grandads have not been lost - like being a good listener, one-to-one, taking the time to read and play and laugh with young people; to share the family stories, traditions and connections. And of course, to pray.

When it comes to handing on faith, Catholic grandparents have a unique vocation. They show children how much God loves them, and teach them their first prayers and devotions. I often meet grandparents in the Cathedral at Armagh with a toddler, showing and explaining how to genuflect, make the Sign of the Cross, or light a candle. Grandparents are expert at sharing family prayers and favourite saints.

Of course, grandparents can learn the latest fashions from their grandchildren, but there is one gift which grandparents, with their lifetime of experience, can uniquely share with children and youth - and that is the gift of wisdom. Wisdom is a priceless gift, which few others are trusted to share in the way that grandparents are.

In today's first reading, the young King Solomon had the foresight to ask God for the gift of wisdom. Rather than choosing wealth and power, Solomon asked for the ability to discern between Good and Evil. The Lord rewarded him with "a heart wise and shrewd as none before him has had and none would ever have after him."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that Wisdom is the first and highest gift of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom allows a person make good judgements and decisions that are enlightened by God, and to best grasp what God wants for us.

That is why parents and children will often turn to grandparents and the elderly for wisdom - especially to those who are strengthened by a firm faith and hope in God to be able to judge wisely. Older people can point to what is worth treasuring in life today like: love and forgiveness, peace, honesty and truth; humility, closeness, and generosity with time.

Like the scribe in today's gospel, they are able to bring out "things both new and old." From the store of their memories, they can draw valuable lessons from both the past and the present.

The world today needs this type of wisdom; wisdom that is deep, long-lasting and often hard-earned: such wisdom is the fruit of years of experience, including from having made mistakes and reflected on them. A wise person has learned how to see the bigger picture from the perspective of God. When asked advice, they won't recommend rushing in and making immediate knee-jerk reactions. The wise and faithful person will take time; they will pray for guidance of the Holy Spirit; they have the patience to discern and seek out the things that are truly lasting and valuable - the pearls of great price.

The late Pope Francis used to say that he learned so much from his grandmother Rosa. He described the special gift of grandparents as "sharing the wisdom of time". He emphasised the importance of having intergenerational connections and conversations - where young people can speak about the things they're interested in today, and grandparents can speak about deeper issues, even venturing to share what might hurt you, or prevent you from being the person God wants you to be. Caring grandparents and other elderly people will sometimes gently caution the young to stay away from risks and dangers that could destroy their young lives or impact negatively on their mental, physical and spiritual well being.

Given all of these reflections on the wisdom and vocation of grandparents, it is interesting that Pope Leo XIV, in his message for this year's World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, wants to draw our attention to a sad reality in today's world: that so many older people feel isolated, vulnerable and alone.

He reflects on the suffering of elderly people who sometimes feel the world has forgotten them - even, in some cases, that their children and grandchildren have left them behind, and that a "profit-driven" society ceases to value them.

Pope Leo wants them to know that God's love for them does not fail. He quotes a beautiful phrase from the prophet Isaiah "I will never forget you; I have carved you on the palm of my hand" (Is 49:15).

Pope Leo encourages all of us, especially young families, to keep up the valuable practice of visiting grandparents, elderly relatives and neighbours, as well as checking up on those who may no longer have any immediate family to look after them. He wants us to reassure elderly people that they are never abandoned by God or by their family, even as they become more frail and fragile, and possibly feel isolated and lonely.

In turn, Pope Leo reminds grandparents and elderly people that their unique vocation includes praying for their family members, for the state of the world, and especially for peace. That message chimes well with what Pope Francis once said: "The prayer of grandparents and of the elderly is a great gift for the Church, it is a treasure! A great injection of wisdom for the whole of human society: above all for one which is too busy, too taken up, too distracted" (Pope Francis Audience, 11 March 2015).

To conclude, I want to thank the members of the Catholic Grandparents Association, here in Ireland and around the world, for continuing to spread the message about the wisdom and essential role of grandparents not only in families and in society, but also in God's Church. Your work has now captured the attention and support of three popes: Popes Benedict, Francis and Leo.

May the grandparents of Jesus - Saint Joachim and Saint Anne - continue to bless the mission of the Catholic Grandparents Association and help grandparents everywhere to pass on faith and keep prayer alive at the heart of the family here in Ireland and beyond. Amen.

LINK

Catholic Grandparents Association: www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.org/